AI researcher Tamay Besiroğlu, together with his research organization Epoch, has launched a bold new startup called Mechanize. The goal of Mechanize is highly ambitious: to create a fully automated economy and replace all human labor with artificial intelligence. In other words, the startup aims to perform all jobs around the world using AI agents. According to Besiroğlu, Mechanize will provide the necessary data, evaluations, and digital environments to achieve this goal.
To estimate Mechanize’s potential market, Besiroğlu calculated the total wages paid to workers globally and reported the figure as $60 trillion. However, he emphasized that in the early stages, they will focus primarily on white-collar jobs, such as office work.
Many people have expressed concerns that such automation could lead to mass unemployment and significant societal challenges. Figures like Anthony Aguirre believe this approach could endanger the future of humanity. One reason the startup is controversial is because Epoch has previously conducted research into the economic impacts of AI and created metrics for evaluation. Some critics argue that the organization works too closely with AI companies and that this relationship lacks transparency.
Notable investors in Mechanize include Nat Friedman, Daniel Gross, and Marcus Abramovitch. Abramovitch expressed his support for the project, stating that the team consists of some of the deepest thinkers in the field.
Besiroğlu believes that automating all jobs with AI will boost economic growth and lead to better living conditions. However, he acknowledges that this may only benefit business owners who utilize AI agents. If large numbers of people lose their jobs, they may struggle to afford the products and services being produced.
Nevertheless, Besiroğlu expects wages not to fall but to increase in the future. He argues that people will become more valuable by performing tasks that AI cannot do. He also believes that income will come not only from salaries but from property ownership and other revenue sources.
Besiroğlu admits that much work remains to turn this idea into reality, and states that Mechanize will be working to expand its team to move forward in this ambitious direction.
